Iruka -- Onna wa Tsurai yo（女はつらいよ）

I've always seen the singer-songwriter Iruka（イルカ）as a 1970s and early 1980s singer from the folk, City Pop and regular pop genres, but her career has actually gone well into the 21st century through her singles and albums. So it's nice to be able to find one of her songs on YouTube which dates from after the 80s.

For this article, that would be her 31st single from January 1993, "Onna wa Tsurai yo" (It's Tough for a Woman). I liked this song right from the get-go since it has a bit of that jazz and country swing in its melody, but strangely enough, I can even pick up on some old-fashioned kayo as well. Iruka's gentle story talks about a woman lucky enough to have that fellow to come home to and unload some of everyday life's trials and tribulations. The singer's voice even seems to provide some "There, there" mollification of its own.

When it comes down to it, having that loving significant other to confide in is far better a balm than the regular visit to the bar (all due respect to bartenders).